Joy Nangala Brown

Joy Nangala Brown was born in Alice Springs in 1966 and grew up in Yuendumu, a Warlpiri community in Central Australia. She later moved to Nyirripi in the early 1980s, where she continues to live with her family while maintaining close ties to Yuendumu.

Joy began painting in 2006 with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation. Her works draw on her father’s and grandfather’s Jukurrpa, or Dreaming stories, which connect to the land, its features, and the plants and animals of Country. These stories were passed to her through family, and she honours them through her vibrant use of colour and detailed dotting styles.

She is the daughter of Pintupi artist Pegleg Jampijinpa, and through both her family and community connections has been surrounded by strong artistic traditions. Married to Jay Jay Spencer, the adopted son of artist Paddy Japaljarri Stewart, Joy is part of a multi-generational legacy of painters. Her daughter, Debbie Napaljarri Brown, also continues this tradition.

Away from painting, Joy enjoys time on Country, gathering bush foods, singing in the church choir, and spending time with her family. Her art reflects the cultural strength of her heritage and the continuation of Warlpiri storytelling for future generations.